Women's Six Nations: How England's Red Roses defied the odds to create more history with Grand Slam triumph in Bordeaux

Pregnancies, injuries, scepticism and the small matter of a Grand Slam decider on foreign soil.

The Red Roses had to navigate it all during the 2026 Six Nations, and yet one thing endured: their status as the elite of women's rugby.

Hot on the heels of last year's World Cup triumph, Sunday's 43-28 victory over France in Bordeaux saw the Red Roses clinch an historic fifth successive Grand Slam.

It saw England's all-conquering women's rugby stars secure an eighth consecutive Women's Six Nations title while extending their winning run to 38 Tests.

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Red Roses make more history against the odds

Despite entering the tournament as world champions, a period of unsettling change in the Red Roses camp gave renewed optimism to those hoping to dethrone them.

World Cup‑winning captain Zoe Stratford, locks Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan, and hooker Lark Atkin‑Davies all missed the campaign due to pregnancy, while forwards Hannah Botterman and May Campbell, along with back Tatyana Heard, were ruled out through injury.

Once the tournament began, England faced further setbacks, with Alex Matthews, Natasha Hunt, and Morwenna Talling sustaining tournament‑ending injuries after round one.

The 2026 Six Nations became the most thorough examination yet of England's strength in depth - but with five debutants blooded across the campaign, they once again proved they had the answers.

They showed the wherewithal, tenacity, and determination to overcome the absence of a host of World Cup winners and secure yet more history.

'Hardest Six Nations' declares emotional Mitchell

Reflecting on the scale of the Red Roses' achievement against all odds, John Mitchell couldn't hide his emotion.

He said: "It was great to win a World Cup at home, but what we've navigated in this tournament - the youth and energy coming through, while our mates are at home becoming mums or going through rehab - these girls are just so brave, unbelievable, and driven. They are courageous all the time.

"This has been the hardest Six Nations, which is why I've been so emotional. I've got to take my hat off to the players and the coaching staff. They have been awesome in navigating so much change."

Scale of Red Roses achievements

For many, this latest success puts this Red Roses cohort firmly in the bracket of the best ever to do it in an England shirt.

Victory in Bordeaux brought an eighth successive Six Nations title, something never previously achieved by any side - England or otherwise.

Between 2006 and 2012 England won seven straight Six Nations titles but this side has now gone one better, winning every championship since 2019.

Clinching a Grand Slam at The Stade Atlantique also created history - a fifth clean sweep in a row, which has never been done. In fact, no team bar this side has achieved four in a row, and in the men's game, no side has ever won back-to-back Slams.

This Red Roses side also became the first rugby outfit in the women's or men's game to win a Six Nations the year after clinching a Rugby World Cup triumph, eclipsing the achievements of the Red Roses vintage of 2014 and Clive Woodward's 2003 England men's World Cup champions. There was no women's championship in 1995 after the Red Roses' 1994 World Cup win.

With an unbeaten Test run since 2022 and now 38 Test victories in a row, there could even be an argument that this is the greatest sports side in history. Has anyone dominated like this Red Roses class have?

Can anyone stop the Red Roses?

The question before the Six Nations began was whether anyone could stop the Red Roses.

Five formidable victories and another Grand Slam later, it's back to the drawing board for their European rivals to devise another plan to bring an end to their dynasty.

France ran them as close as any team has in the competition, but there was still a sizeable gulf in class - and in how deep that class runs.

What's more, Sunday's clash played out in a year that really felt like France's best chance since they last beat England in 2018.

Les Bleues had home advantage for the decider, in front of a raucous full house, had matched England for bonus-point wins leading up to it, and England were missing a host of players.

Remarkably, England clinched this crown on French soil while missing eight of the 13 forwards from last year's World Cup final squad.

For full-back Ellie Kildunne - 2024's World Player of the Year - this England side still have room to grow too.

"We've won a Grand Slam but there is still so much room to grow. That is exciting," she said to the BBC following victory.

"It's hard to sum up the emotions. It's never been done before [five Grand Slams]. To be part of a team that makes history again is something I'm very proud of.

"We knew it wouldn't be easy today, we knew what was coming, but I'm so proud of the girls. Grand Slam baby!

"We've had to show how adaptable we are as a team. I don't think there has ever been a time where so many people have been mixing and matching, but it shows the depth in English rugby and the culture of our team to bring new people in."

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Women's Six Nations: How England's Red Roses defied the odds to create more history with Grand Slam triumph in Bordeaux